Alabama started off the roll call of states at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday night by casting all 50 of its votes for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the party's nominee for President of the United States. Here, Alabama Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, with State Sen. Cam Ward behind her, are shown on the convention center's jumbotron as she calls out the state's ballot. (Contributed)

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Ward says Christie speech ‘a huge hit’

Published 5:00pm Wednesday, August 29, 2012

By JAN GRIFFEY/Editor

State Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, said Wednesday afternoon all in the Alabama delegation to the Republican National Convention in Tampa agree New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s speech Tuesday night was “a huge hit.”

Ward is in Tampa this week as an Alabama delegate to the Republican National Convention. He was one of two in Alabama to take part in writing this year’s Republican Party platform.

“Everyone agreed (Christie’s speech) really set the tone. He was very blunt and frank, which is how he is,” Ward said. “The speeches were wonderful. Ann Romney did an absolutely wonderful job. It was typical her, very professional.”

Tonight at the GOP convention, Republican Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan will speak, which Ward said is perhaps the most anticipated speech of the entire convention.

The Alabama delegation, including alternates and spouses, consists of about 150 people, all of whom are staying and conducting Alabama GOP business at the Crown Plaza in Tampa. He said the Alabama delegation has been courted by an all-star cast of national Republican Party leaders, including Christie and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

“Chris Christie came by to talk with us this morning, as did Condoleezza Rice. It’s really been a great convention, particularly for the Alabama delegation. The big name people who have come by to visit with us, we didn’t expect to have that many come by to see us. It’s been a great, great convention,” he said.

Ward said the atmosphere at the convention has been “very exciting. It’s been non-stop activities and events. A real good pace and tempo.”

The convention wraps up on Thursday night when former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will accept his party’s nomination as the Republican candidate for President of the United States.